Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi was a prominent Persian philosopher, theologian, and mystic who lived in the 12th century. He was a member of the Suhrawardiyya order of Sufism, which was founded by his uncle, Shahab al-Din Abu Hafs Umar Suhrawardi. Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi made significant contributions to Islamic philosophy and mysticism, particularly in the area of metaphysics and spiritual practice. His works often explored the nature of existence, the soul, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. Suhrawardi’s teachings continue to influence Sufi thought and Islamic philosophy to this day.
Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi Quotes
01. “There is unanimous agreement that the Messengers are more excellent than angels, but there is variance as to the order of priority between men and angels.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
02. “The Sufis should endure affliction with strength and patience.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
03. Hasan Basri said, “The temptation of Adam was in eating, and this is also your temptation until the day of Resurrection.” It is the advice of the Prophet to consume the strength of the lower soul by hunger and thirst.
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
04. “Love for the sake of God and hate for the sake of God are among the firmest ties of the faith.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
05. “Eating with brethren should be with informality; with foreignness, with nice manners, and with the poor (fuqara), with altruism.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
06. “God creates the actions of man, just as He creates men themselves. Also, polytheism and disobedience occur by the judgment and predestination of God.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
07. “Immodest glances bring about severe retribution. Sight should be used to achieve understanding of God’s omnipotence and it should not be tainted by the desires of the soul.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
08. “The acts of men are not the cause of bliss or damnation because pleasure and wrath are eternal attributes of God which are not changed by the act of men. God causes man to act according to His decree, and men should accept the divine decree with pleasure.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
09. “Silence is praiseworthy because it is ‘A cover for the ignorant and adornment for the intelligent.'”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
10. “Companionship with one’s wife and children should be with compassion. One should instruct them in right conduct.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
11. “The Sufi should speak to people according to their intellectual capacity. The novice should not speak on any question unless he is asked about it.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
12. “The novice should be heedful of each moment. He should be constantly occupied outwardly with supererogatory devotions and inwardly by aspiration, until inspiration descends upon him.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
13. “Sufis eat only food whose source they know. They avoid eating the food of unjust and sinful people.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
14. “The Sufi should not travel for amusement, vanity, ostentation, or to seek worldly things.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
15. “The Prophet said, ‘The repenter is the beloved of God.’ Failure to repent of a sin is more serious than committing the sin.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
16. “The Sufis are distinguished by lofty sciences and noble states. The most noble characteristics of them are their moral qualities.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
17. “The Sufi should associate with people of his kind and those from whom he can benefit. The man most worthy of our company is he who agrees with your religious beliefs and before whom you are ashamed (for your faults).”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
18. “Ecstasy is the secret of the inner qualities, just as obedience is the secret of the external qualities.”
— Abu Najeeb Suhrawardi
